Sabarimala temple opens amid tight security
Team Udayavani, Nov 16, 2018, 5:50 PM IST
Sabarimala (Ker): The Sabarimala temple opened Friday evening for the two-month long pilgrim season amid tight security in the backdrop of the standoff over the entry of women in menstrual age.
As the shrine opened at 5 pm in the presence of head priest Kandararu Rajeevaru, the large number of devotees present there chanted “Swamiyae Ayyappa”.
Two new melsanthis (priests) M L Vasudevan Namboodiri (Ayyappa temple) and M N Narayanan Namboodiri (Malikapapuram) assumed charge.
The 41-day mandalam festival will conclude on December 27 after Mandala pooja, when the shrine will close after the ‘Athazhapuja’ in the evening. It would reopen for the Makaravilakku festival on December 30.
The Makaravilakku festival would be celebrated on January 14 after which the shrine will close on January 20, marking the culmination of the pilgrim season, when laksh of devotees are expected to throng the shrine.
Unprecedented security arrangements have been made at the shrine which is opening for the third time since the Supreme Court allowed women of all age groups to offer prayers, a move being opposed by devotees and others.
Udayavani is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel and stay updated with the latest news.
Top News
Related Articles More
Can’t control elections or pass directions on basis of suspicion: SC tells EVM critics
Not shying away from dealing with stray dogs issue but will not allow scope to be expanded, says SC
Delhi: Man standing atop truck dies after his head hits metro station beam
Bullet train project completion date rests on award of all tenders, says Railways in RTI reply
What ‘nyay’ Cong can do, when its councillor’s daughter in K’taka doesn’t get justice: Thakur
MUST WATCH
Latest Additions
WATCH: 5 runaway military horses cause mayhem in London
FIR filed over BJP’s social media post allegedly promoting hatred and enmity: EC
Can’t control elections or pass directions on basis of suspicion: SC tells EVM critics
Amitabh Bachchan receives Lata Deenanath Mangeshkar Puraskar
Hubballi: Congress leader Randeep Surjewala visits Neha’s house, assures justice to family